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The Herbal Healer I started a research on the skill of alternative healing methods, i grew up with an grandmother which prepared potions and herbal mixtures for all kind of occasions. This memories brought me back this topic. I wanted to know where this knowledge comes from. In a talk with her i learned that this alternative healing method has been practiced in our family since many generations. Furthermore i learned a lot about my grandmother and her love for plants all kind. I was fascinated by the knowledge this craft contains, an incredible brought understanding of our environment in connection to the human body. Back in time there was no money so the people were forced to create there own methods. The province where i come from is known for the mountain areas, these are famous for special kind of alternative healing methods.
The Hunter An article about the overpopulation of wild pigs in the austrian forests caught my attention for the profession of the Hunter. I started collecting information about the profession nowadays, their responsibilities and skills. My romantic image changed after i understood that the origin of the hunter vanished. The profession itself split in two groups, the one is focused on the animal population and the protection of the forests tree growth. They are acting very rational and structured. The other ones are the hobby Hunters, fun and social symbol of wealthiness characterizes their motives. The deep understanding of our environment and the eager to keep the balance in that fragile system was not visible in any of them. The purpose built handling of the trees and animals took over. I didn't saw the profession anymore.
The “Pecher” This profession took my attention during our long term assignment, i focused on tree secrets. As i started collecting the resin from my home region i got in contact with the profession which was responsible for collecting tree resin. The leftover of that skill are occasional events which celebrate the spirits of the forrest, the “Pecher” was kind of the guardian of the trees and their connected ecosystem, he was the only one who was allowed to collect the precious gift of the trees. The collected substances were used to heal and bless through burning.
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Collaboration Three Crafts, all of them have similarities in their origin. In all we can find a very strong confrontation with nature and their resources. A strong understanding of the effect on the human and the nature, keeping both in balance. Two of them, the hunter and Herbal Healer are built up on necessity to survive. Before there was balance in taking and giving. The knowledge of each profession was an important aspect in society. Knowledge was given from generation to generation. This project showed me how precious and important it is that we carrie skills and knowledge to our next generations.
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Collection Harvesting plays an important role in all three crafts. A set of tools made to collect materials, they should become a symbol for the collaboration between each other. The material choice bone connects to the Hunter, the overpopulation of wild pigs. The ergonomic shapes and the aspect of being an left over material, which hardly finds his place in objects, were decisive for me. Every tool has several functions, they are not limited to a single use. Respecting the qualities of the material, adding value and respect to disappearing crafts.
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Philipp Kolmann Modul I Well Being